Alex Martins, who placed fourth overall, takes off on a wave during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Alex Martins, who placed fourth overall, takes off on a wave during...

Mark Healey, left, and Nathan Fletcher drop in going opposite ways on a wave during the semi-finals at the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Mark Healey, left, and Nathan Fletcher drop in going opposite ways...

Peter Mel wipes out during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Peter Mel wipes out during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational...

Grant Baker drops into a wave during the first round of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Grant Baker drops into a wave during the first round of the...

Colin Dwyer, Anthony Tashnick and Grant "Twiggy" Baker all get on the same wave at Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Colin Dwyer, Anthony Tashnick and Grant "Twiggy" Baker all get on...

A flotilla of watercraft populate the waters off Pillar Point during the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

A flotilla of watercraft populate the waters off Pillar Point...

Peter Mel, winner of this year's Mavericks Invitational, is congratulated by Alex Martins on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Peter Mel, winner of this year's Mavericks Invitational, is...

Tyler Fox catches a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in the first heat of the day on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Tyler Fox catches a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in the first...

A boat cruises past surfers waiting for the next set during the 4th heat at Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

A boat cruises past surfers waiting for the next set during the 4th...

Chris Bertish goes left on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 2 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Chris Bertish goes left on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in...

Colin Dwyer drops in on a wave during the first round of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Colin Dwyer drops in on a wave during the first round of the...

Greg Long drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 3 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Greg Long drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat...

Josh Loya drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 3 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Josh Loya drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat...

Ryan Augenstein drops in on a wave as Josh Loya wipes out at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 3 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Ryan Augenstein drops in on a wave as Josh Loya wipes out at...

Zach Wormhoudt drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 3 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Zach Wormhoudt drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in...

Peter Mel, red, and Dave Wassel take off on a wave during the first round of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Peter Mel, red, and Dave Wassel take off on a wave during the first...

Boats full of spectators and media representatives circle the competition and help those aboard enjoy the picture-perfect weather off Half Moon Bay.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Boats full of spectators and media representatives circle the...

Alex Martins drops into a wave during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Alex Martins drops into a wave during the finals of the Mavericks...

Shawn Dollar (left), who finished sixth, and fifth-place finisher Mark Healey share a wave during the finals portion of the Mavericks surfing competition.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Shawn Dollar (left), who finished sixth, and fifth-place finisher...

Greg Long, left, and Peter Mel drop into a wave during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Greg Long, left, and Peter Mel drop into a wave during the finals...

Chris Bertish rides the inside section of a wave during the semi-finals at the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Chris Bertish rides the inside section of a wave during the...

CBS 5 Video: Thousands descend on Half Moon Bay for Mavericks

Tashnick tries to escape the white water of a big wave at Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Tashnick tries to escape the white water of a big wave at Mavericks...

Colin Dwyer drops into a wave during the 4th heat of Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Colin Dwyer drops into a wave during the 4th heat of Mavericks Surf...

Peter Mel, winner of this year's Mavericks Invitational, addresses the audience as Jeff Clark listens on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Peter Mel, winner of this year's Mavericks Invitational, addresses...

Ryan Wormhoudt gets in a barrel during the final round of Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Ryan Wormhoudt gets in a barrel during the final round of Mavericks...

Alex Martins gets inside the barrel of a wave during the final round of Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Alex Martins gets inside the barrel of a wave during the final...

Peter Mel, winner of the Mavericks Invitational drop into a wave during the finals on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Peter Mel, winner of the Mavericks Invitational drop into a wave...

Mavericks winner Peter Mel rides a wave during the final heat. Few on hand were allowed near enough to see.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

Mavericks Invitational contestant Mark Healey attaches a leash to one of his boards at Pillar Point Harbor on Sunday, January 19, 2013.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Mavericks Invitational contestant Mark Healey attaches a leash to...

Mavericks Invitational contestants Mark Healey, left, Anthony Tashnick, center, and Peter Mel head out at Pillar Point Harbor on Sunday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Mavericks Invitational contestants Mark Healey, left, Anthony...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, a surfer rides a wave at the big wave spot on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, a surfer rides a wave...

Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark rides a wave at the legendary spot on the day before the Mavericks Invitational on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark rides a wave at the legendary spot on...

Mavericks Invitational contestants Shane Desmond, left, and Tyler Fox put away their personal water craft after a practice session on the eve of the contest on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Mavericks Invitational contestants Shane Desmond, left, and Tyler...

Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark rides a wave at the legendary spot on the day before the Mavericks Invitational on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark rides a wave at the legendary spot on...

A wave breaks at Mavericks on the day before the Mavericks Invitational on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

A wave breaks at Mavericks on the day before the Mavericks...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, contestant Kenny Collins prepares for a practice session on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, contestant Kenny...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark gets ready to catch a few waves at the big wave spot on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, Mavericks pioneer...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, contestant Dave Wassel, left, helps Alex Gray suit up before a practice session on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, contestant Dave...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, contestant Jaime Sterling grabs his board before a practice session on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, contestant Jaime...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, a surfer rides a wave at the big wave spot on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, a surfer rides a wave...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, a surfer rides a wave at the big wave spot on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, a surfer rides a wave...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, a surfer rides a wave at the big wave spot on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, a surfer rides a wave...

On the day before the Mavericks Invitational, water rescuers Chad Cox, left, and Ryan Hargrave prepare marker buoys on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle